MASSILLON – City Council is planning to vote in early August on a series of proposed zoning changes for data centers.
Council further discussed legislation during a July 13 work session, marking nearly three months of talks on the issue.
The nine members are targeting their Aug. 3 regular meeting to decide whether to approve new zoning rules for data centers.
“I think that’s a good time (to consider) and falls in line with our (60-day) stay,” said Councilwoman Julie Harwig Smith, R-Ward 5, who chairs council’s Community Development Committee.
About Massillon’s amended data center zoning proposal
Data centers in Massillon are to be considered within heavy-industrial (I-2) zoning regions only, mainly because I-2 parcels are farther from residential areas. Light industrial (I-1) zoning was a previous option that’s been eliminated.
“Basically, this will restrict data centers to full industrial (I-2),” Harwig Smith said.
Development Director Ted Herncane lauded City Council at its July 13 work session for making the call to limit facilities to I-2 zoning.
“This will keep data centers further away from neighborhoods,” he said.
Setbacks from residential districts for large data centers — 100,000 square feet or more — and small facilities — less than 100,000 square feet — will be at least 400 feet, according to the city’s zoning proposal. Earlier language included 200 feet setbacks.
In addition, developers will be required to prove in their site plan that a data center has adequate water, electric and wastewater capacity available prior to construction, as well as having peak noise and decibel level certifications.
Allowing the city’s site plan review committee to revisit any utility-related changes that may arise after initial approval or construction of a data center is another zoning addition.
A data center developer has eyes on the Massillon Technology and Energy Park ― the former site of Republic Steel ― as a potential location down the road. That area is zoned heavy industrial.
Reach Steven Grazier at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Massillon finalizing data center zoning regulations
Reporting by Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent / The Independent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent | USA TODAY Network
